New Jersey Passes Law Requiring Tents and Sleeping Bags to
Meet Flame Resistance Standards
It is now unlawful in New Jersey to sell any tent or sleeping bag that is not classified
by the Division of Consumer Affairs as being flame resistant. The new law establishes
minimum flame resistance standards for tents and sleeping bags, adopting CPAI-84
as the flame resistance standard for recreational tents and CPAI-75 as the flame
resistance standard for sleeping bags.
The new law is now in effect and provides civil penalties for violations not meeting the
minimum flammability standards outlined in the new rules.
Key Points
The following definitions are defined in the new standard:
• "Sleeping bag" means a bag providing warmth and insulation that may be lined or padded and
is normally designed for sleeping outdoors or in a camp or tent.
• "Tent" means a collapsible shelter, for one or more persons, of canvas or other material,
either natural or synthetic or any combination thereof, stretched and sustained by poles or
rope and intended for recreational camping outdoors.
The minimum flame resistance requirement of the new law, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-24A, is as follows:
a) A tent must at least meet the flammability standards for tents of the Industrial Fabric Association
International CPAI-84 (1995 edition), including any subsequent revisions incorporated into this
rule by reference, to be classified as being flame resistant.
b) A sleeping bag must at least meet the flammability standards for sleeping bags of the Industrial
Fabric Association International CPAI-75 (1976 edition), including any subsequent revisions
incorporated into this rule by reference, to be classified as being flame resistant.
c) For the labeling requirements, as noted in CPAI-75: a sleeping bag that at least meets the
flammability standards for sleeping bags and is able to be classified as “flame resistant” should be
labeled as follows, or exhibit a similar statement on the product at the point-of-sale:
This Sleeping Bag Conforms to the CPAI-75 Rate-of-Burn Standard for Sleeping Bags.
d) For the labeling requirements, as noted in CPAI-84: a tent that at least meets the flammability
standards for tents and is able to be classified as “flame resistant” should be labeled as follows, or
exhibit a similar statement on the product at the point-of-sale:
"WARNING: KEEP ALL FLAME AND HEAT SOURCES AWAY FROM THIS TENT FABRIC
This tent meets the flammability requirements of CPAI-84. The fabric may burn if left
in continuous contact with any flame source. The application of any foreign substance
to the tent fabric may render the flame–resistant properties ineffective.”
Additional information regarding the manufacturer’s identification, code numbering for traceability
and packaging labeling is outlined in the method.
Other Information
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) has not adopted a flammability standard
for recreational tents or sleeping bags.
Currently, other states that have laws that address the flammability requirements for tents used
recreationally are: California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and
California. Sleeping bags are currently regulated in the states of New York and Minnesota.
No other state cites CPAI-75 as a requirement for sleeping bags.
Contact Information: If you have any comments and/or questions, please contact your customer
service representative or email: [email protected]
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. (“BVCPS”) provides the information in this client bulletin as a resource of general
information. It does not replace any applicable legal or regulatory requirements and is provided “as is.” BVCPS will not be liable for
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CONNECTION WITH THIS CLIENT BULLETIN.
Copyright © 2008 Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
August 2008, 08B-165